The 13 Best Utility Knives for EDC in 2020
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Knives can be very versatile as an EDC tool, but they are not always the best one for every job. Opening boxes lined with tape and breaking down cardboard and clamshell packaging can really mess up your knife edge, layering it with gunk and adhesive while simultaneously dulling even the most meticulously sharpened blade. For that kind of dirty work, a retractable utility knife would be a better fit, taking the brunt of the work with replaceable blades that require minimal maintenance and keeping your EDC knife sharp for more crucial tasks.
In this guide, we take a look at convenient and pocket-friendly utility knife options that can help save your primary EDC knife from unnecessary wear and tear. From knives as tiny zipper pulls to highly functional multi-tools that integrate a retractable utility blade, we round up the choices that could deserve a spot in your shirt or pants pocket, organizer, or daily pack.
Gerber EAB Lite Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Folding design
Liner lock
Money/Pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless steel
Size
2.8" closed
Gerber's classic "Exchange-A-Blade" EAB comes in an even more compact and lightweight design as the EAB Lite. This folding utility knife has a pocket-friendly footprint, complete with an included clip that can double as a money clip or even a belt clip. Once deployed, its standard-sized blade is secured by a liner lock, keeping it ready for your home improvement and other cutting tasks. It's a reliable, affordable lightweight option with a more refined look.
Outdoor Edge Slidewinder Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Carries extra tools on its stainless steel frame
Removable pocket clip
Affordable
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless steel frame, polymer scale
Size
3.5" closed
The Slidewinder presents an affordable utility knife option that carries a few useful tools on its chassis. Aside from the standard-sized replaceable blades, Philips and standard screwdrivers plus a bottle opener are cut into the stainless steel frame. Blade deployment is via the slide mechanism which has a button for immediate retraction. On one side, a glass/ nylon polymer scale helps with grip, while a removable pocket clip on the other keeps the Outdoor Edge Slidewinder nearby when you need it.
Header: Kris
Header: Kris
Gerber GDC Zip Blade Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Doubles as a zipper pull
Can be detached via quick-release fastener
Light and discreet
Specifications
Blade Type
Integrated 7Cr17MoV blade
Material
Stainless steel
Size
1.7" closed
The best utility knife is the one you have on you. If you intend to carry the smallest and lightest utility knife to ensure that you always have easy access to a usable blade, it’s hard to beat something that’s essentially designed to replace a zipper pull. The Gerber GDC Zip Blade Utility Knife includes a quick-release fob for attaching to the zipper of your pack, coat, or even wallet. The sharp 0.68" blade deploys via nail nick and is secured by a framelock mechanism. When not in use, it folds discreetly into the innocuous looking body.
Slice 10400 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Safe and long-lasting ceramic blade
Ergonomic shape
Choice of sharp or rounded tip refills
Specifications
Blade Type
Slice ceramic cutter blades
Material
Glass-filled nylon, thermoplastic, polymer and carbon steel
Size
6.97"
Winner of the Red Dot Design award, this box cutter features an ergonomic handle and a finger friendly, proprietary ceramic safety blade. The Slice 10400 Utility Knife uses a manual slider button for its blade lock, securing the blade in three positions: fully extended, semi-protruding, or closed. The long-lasting, rust-free ceramic blade requires no maintenance or lubrication, and outlasts regular metal utility blades. You can choose from pointed or rounded tip refills to best match your needs.
Screwpop Ron's Utility Knife 3.0
PurchaseKey Features
Magnetic
4-step adjustment
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Stainless
Size
4" closed
With such a minimal, open construction, this is the closest you'll get to carrying around an unguarded razor blade in your pocket. A built-in magnet cleverly keeps blades from falling out when the lock is disengaged, and makes it easy to stick to metallic work surfaces, or your fridge. It's especially convenient thanks to its bottle opener on one end. On the other end, the large ring in the lock pivot lets you carry the tool on your keychain or lanyard.
Olfa Craft Utility Knife 34B
PurchaseKey Features
Slim design
Sliding locking 30º blade
Lanyard hole
Specifications
Blade Type
OLFA XB34
Material
Metal
Size
4.6" closed
If you want to carry a compact craft knife with a longer, more usable blade, the 34B is the tool for you. It offers 2.2” of usable cutting edge without much handle bulk. The blade deploys with a brass thumb wheel that you can swap on either side of the knife. A small hole at the end of the handle works great as an attachment point for a paracord lanyard to make up for its lack of a pocket clip.
Gerber Prybrid Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Integrates seven other functions
Tough and textured G10 scales
Cord cutter foregoes opening the main blade
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Metal spine with G10 scales
Size
4.25" closed
This re-engineered box cutter maximizes functionality by adding seven other functions to the build. Textured G10 scales sandwich a steel-cased slide mechanism for the blade, while the spine of the tool provides a rigid platform for a prybar, wire stripper, nail puller, flathead drivers, and an always useful bottle opener. Under the tool there’s a nifty cord cutter notch that functions like a gut hook, allowing you to sever cordage without having to deploy the main blade.
Header: Mikey Bautista
Header: Mikey Bautista
BigIDesign TPT Slide Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Camping fork
Multiple integrated tools
Pocket clip and lanyard
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Titanium
Size
4"
If you're looking for a utility knife that really puts an emphasis on "utility," look no further than the TPT Slide. Its titanium housing deploys a standard sized blade (or its included finger-safe package opener/camping fork hybrid blade) via an ambidextrous, one-handed slide mechanism. The rest of the tool is jam-packed with EDC features, including a flathead screwdriver, bit driver, scraper edge, and universal wrench set.
Resolute Tools X-1 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Ultra light and slim
Corrosion-proof titanium construction
Tool-less blade change
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
6AL-4V titanium
Size
2.67"
A utility knife is used for a myriad of things, and this exceptionally efficient tool manages to do a lot with the barest minimum of materials. The Resolute Tools X-1 is an ultralight titanium knife from designers who try to squeeze maximum utility and reliability from minimum weight and mass. At just 0.282" thick with the pocket clip and 0.445 ounces including a blade, it disappears until you need it.
Nitecore NTK07 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Uses standard replaceable medical scalpel blades
Lightweight titanium alloy construction
Removable pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Type
No. 11 scalpel blade
Material
Titanium
Size
4.51"
EDC Rating
Just released
Price
$$
This slim, CNC-machined, TC4 titanium scalpel is Nitecore’s latest take on the replaceable blade utility knife. The Nitecore NTK07 Utility Knife registers at just 0.39 ounces and features jimping and a blasted finish to help with grip. A matching titanium sheath is included to protect the replaceable no. 11 scalpel blade when it’s not in use. Finally, a removable pocket clip keeps this EDC scalpel within easy reach.
GilTek RUK V2 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Multiple functions integrated into lightweight aluminum frame
Easy disassembly and maintenance
Multiple color options plus titanium version
Specifications
Blade Type
Standard
Material
Aluminum
Size
3"
The GilTek RUK V2 updates the one-handed, pocket-sized design by adding a few functions to its aluminum frame. This version includes a pry bar, a 1/4″ hex for driver bits, a slot for cutting fishing lines, a bottle opener, and a lanyard slot. The slide mechanism locks solid in both the extended and retracted positions, and features internal plastic pins for the blade to ride on without damaging its edge. This multi-function, retractable utility knife is available in different colors, as well as a classy titanium framed option.
CIVIVI Mandate Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Bottle opener and hex wrenches
Tough and lightweight milled titanium construction
Includes two stainless steel and one Damascus blade
Specifications
Blade Type
Proprietary (three included)
Material
Titanium
Size
4.59"
This sleek and pocket-friendly design from knife maker CIVIVI elevates the lowly box cutter to a precision-machined, titanium-clad, multi-tool design. Included are two 1.94" 9Cr18MoV stainless steel blades, as well as a high-end Damascus steel one that upgrades both utility and aesthetics. The milled titanium frame holds the button-actuated slide, a bottle opener, and a skeletonized pocket clip. The lanyard hole at the pommel also doubles as a multi-size open hex wrench, increasing its functionality.
RovyVon Valor V20 Utility Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Kiridashi-style blade
Titanium alloy construction
Front-end bottle opener
Specifications
Blade Type
Proprietary
Material
Titanium
Size
4.59"
EDC Rating
Just released
Price
$$
The RovyVon Valor V20 Titanium Utility Pocket Knife features a proprietary replaceable blade that resembles the edge of the traditional Japanese kiridashi knife. With a bevel on both sides and a sharp edge along the bottom of the blade, it makes short work of slicing, scraping, whittling, and carving tasks. It deploys via a smooth press and push mechanism, which screws down to safely lock down the blade during use. A slot at the pommel lets you attach a keyring or some cordage, while a notch on the front end doubles as a handy bottle opener.
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